State Police: Remains in Albemarle appear to be Harrington
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Virginia State Police is saying that human remains found on a farm in southern Albemarle County appear to be those of Morgan Harrington, 20, a Virginia Tech student who was reported missing after attending a concert at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville on Oct. 17.
“We’re fairly confident that the remains are those of Morgan Dana Harrington,” said Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Steven Flaherty at a news conference in Charlottesville Tuesday afternoon.
The remains have been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Richmond for identification and an autopsy, Flaherty said. “Until we receive word from the autopsy, we can’t say with 100 percent certainty that this is truly Miss Harrington. However, there were some significant items of evidence that makes us confident that that scientific procedure will confirm that ID,” Flaherty said.
Flaherty said the State Police cannot release the evidence that leads investigators to the conclusion that the remains are Harrington. The case has moved to a new phase with the apparent discovery of the body, Flaherty said.
“We’re at a very infant stage of the investigation. We have more questions than we have answers for you,” Flaherty told reporters.
The body was found this morning when the owner of the historic Anchorage Farm six miles south of Charlottesville on U.S. 29 was out on a remote area of his farm checking the stability of fences used to keep cattle in.
The area of the farm is used as a hayfield, State Police Lt. Joe Rader said. The hayfield had last been cut in August, “and at the time that Miss Harrington would have disappeared, would have been about up to your waist,” Rader said.
Authorities were otherwise mum about the details of the crime scene.
“It’s too early for us to make speculations. We have to focus on facts, physical evidence, we have to sort the tips out, we have to do our interviews and come to logical conclusions to find who’s responsible for remains of Morgan Harrington, which we believe it will be Morgan Harrington when the medical examiner has finished,” Rader said.
“We now have to work with the Commonwealth Attorney’s office, with our other partners in the investigation, and do what we know very well, and that is to bring this person to justice and take care of this situation,” Rader said.
Related posts:
- Breaking: Human remains found in Albemarle Staff Report News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net Virginia State Police and Albemarle County Police are currently on the scene of the discovery of skeletal remains in...
- Investigator: Harrington case not ‘cold’ State Police still pursuing leads; ‘We have to keep plugging away’ Story by Chris Graham freepress2@ntelos.net The case of missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington,...
- Police still searching for missing Virginia Tech student Virginia State Police and University of Virginia Police are following up on numerous leads regarding the joint investigation into the disappearance and whereabouts of a...
- Volunteer community search to begin Friday in Harrington case Dr. Daniel Harrington and wife Gil, parents of missing Virginia Tech student, Morgan Dana Harrington, announced today the organization of a volunteer community search party...
- Location for Harrington search party meeting changed The meeting location for the Morgan Harrington Volunteer Search Party has changed for Friday-Sunday, Nov. 6-8. Volunteers must now sign-in at the Department of Forestry...
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From a State Police press release:
State Police still ask for the public to come forward and provide any information they may have related to the case of Morgan Harrington, especially now with this new lead. With over 600 tips received to-date, state and local police thank the public for coming forward and providing details that helped establish the timeline that night of Miss Harrington’s movements after she was outside John Paul Jones Arena. Those with information and tips are encouraged to call Virginia State Police at 434-352-3467 or UVA Police at 434-924-7166 or by email at bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov.
“I want to acknowledge and thank the law-enforcement agencies for their steadfast support and contributions to the search and investigation into the Morgan Harrington case,” said Colonel Flaherty. “We also want to thank Dr. and Mrs. Harrington for persevering through three months of the unimaginable.”
Jesus.
Just terrible news. I sure hope they find the scumbag(s) that did this and bring them to swift justice. My prayers go out to her family.
Update: The Virginia State Police has confirmed that the remains discovered yesterday at Anchorage Farm were those of Morgan Harrington.
Following is a statement from Morgan’s father, Dr. Dan Harrington:
Morgan’s mother, Gil, and I are overwhelmingly saddened by yesterday’s discovery, but we are also relieved because our questions can now be answered and we can give our daughter a proper burial. We know that because of the good life Morgan led and the love she created for everyone around her, she is now in a safer, better place. We appreciate everyone’s respect for our privacy at this difficult time and we thank everyone who has helped us through this tragedy and helped us find Morgan.
Update from the State Police: The Virginia State Police has received confirmation from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond that the remains discovered Tuesday (Jan. 26, 2010) on farmland in Albemarle County, Va., are those of Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, of Roanoke, Va.
Confirmation was made through dental records provided by the family.
The investigation continues into the cause and time of death. Virginia State Police, Albemarle County Police, University of Virginia Police, and Charlottesville Police are back out at the farm today (Jan. 27, 2010) canvassing the area for any additional evidence.